General News
31 March, 2024
History returns home
Former Warracknabeal resident Judy Cherryman desired to see some of her hometown’s history returned to its rightful place, and arranged for a sewing machine from the Sterling Clothing Factory to return to the Wheatlands Warehouse
Former Warracknabeal resident Judy Cherryman desired to see some of her hometown’s history returned to its rightful place, and arranged for a sewing machine from the Sterling Clothing Factory to return to the Wheatlands Warehouse
Judy is a cousin of Noel and Val Taylor, who generously collected the machine from Geelong.
The machine was owned by Ms Cherryman’s father, Jack, and is in its original condition, complete with cottons and ironing board.
The Sterling Clothing Factory existed in what was McCombe's Hall - situated between Wheatlands Warehouse and the Creekside Hotel - from 1944 to 1953.
It was part of the larger Stafford Ellinson Factory in Melbourne, and had a large workforce consisting mainly of women who even had their own basketball team for a number of years.
The workers were responsible for making army uniforms and shirts.
Mrs Dot Muller, formerly of Warracknabeal, has vivid memories of working at the Sterling Factory, and the late Mrs Betty Hunter also worked there.
Last year, the April 21 edition of the Warracknabeal Herald featured an article on Hopetoun’s Rita Rowney who, at 97 years of age, reminisced on her time at the factory.
Part of McCombe's Hall was incorporated into the Wheatlands Warehouse some years ago when it was extended to provide books and other items.